This document compares and contrasts various cultural aspects between Malaysian and Japanese cultures. It discusses differences in greeting etiquette, dining rules, body language gestures, taboos, and concepts of seasons between the two cultures. For example, it notes that in Japan people bow to greet others, while in Malaysia practices vary between ethnic groups. It also explains that in Japan people say "Itadakimasu" before meals and have strict chopstick etiquette, while Malaysia focuses more on sharing dishes between diners.

1. Malaysian
cultures vs
Japanese cultures
Name: Jolene Pang Siew Mei
Lecturer: Dr. Logen
Course: FDN 108 Professional
Communication

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 Greeting
02 Dining
rules
03 Body
Languages

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
04 Taboo
Gestures 05 Season
06 Reference

4. Bow
Indicators of respect, regret, thanks, and
greeting.
Greeting
Japan:
VS
Malaysia:
• 45-degree saikeirei bow: express
apologies /highest respect.
• 30-degree keirei bow: respect superiors.
• 15-degree eshaku bow: greeting
someone for the first time
(Inside Japan, n.d.)
Malay ladies and men: do not shake hands.
• Women can shake one other's hands
while men avoid handshakes with
women.
Chinese: handshake.
• Men and women are allowed to shake
hands, but the lady must reach out first.
India: shake hands with people of the
same sex.
• A nod of the head and a smile when
meeting someone of the other sex.
(Commisceo Global, 2019)

5. Japan: Malaysia:
Dining Rules
 Put their hands and say "Itadakimasu"
before a meal (I humbly receive).
 Never pass food with chopsticks or stick
them into your bowl of rice.
 Avoid to drown your rice in soy sauce.
(Inside Japan, n.d.)
VS
 Use a serving spoon properly
 Accept food offered by other diners.
 Passing dishes properly
(Tom & Traveller, 2021)

6. 1 =closed thumb 2 = closed thumb
and index fingers
COUNTING:
The Western counting system is the reverse of the Japanese finger counting.
Body Languages
1 = index
fingers
pointing up
(Viet Hoang, 2014)
Japan:
Malaysia:
2 = index fingers
and middle finger
pointing up
VS

7. thumb and index finger
joined.
(Viet Hoang,
2014)
Money
OK
Form a large "O" with your arms
above your head.
Bend your index finger,
resembles a hook.
rubbing thumb against
index and middle finger
VS

8. Taboo
gestures
Calling a person.
The action represents
death.
(Subramanian, 2015)
Crossing your
arms
Middle finger
“flipping
someone off”
Pointin
g
show that you'd
prefer not to speak.
rude.
Japan:
Malaysia:
VS

9. Season
• winter (12-2)
• spring (3-5)
• Summer (between June to mid
September)
• Autumn (months of mid-November to
early December)
Not have 4 season
Japan: Malaysia:
VS
(Coto Academy, 2021)

10. Reference
Inside Japan. (n.d.). Social conventions - Japanese Culture | Inside Japan Tours. Www.insidejapantours.com.
https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/social-conventions/
Viet Hoang. (2014, January 30). Japanese Body Language And Gestures. Tofugu.
https://www.tofugu.com/japan/japanese-body-language/
Subramanian, C. (2015, March 16). 12 Gestures That Will Accidentally Piss People Off Around the World. Thrillist;
Thrillist. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/ok-symbol-thumbs-up-and-other-hand-gestures-that-mean-
different-things-abroad
Rex-Horoi, F. (2022, July 12). What is the Official Language of Japan? (It’s Not What You Think!). Team Japanese.
https://teamjapanese.com/official-language-of-japan/
Chepkemoi, J. (2020, September 21). What Languages Are Spoken In Malaysia? WorldAtlas.
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-malaysia.html
Tom, A., & Traveller, T. (2021, April 7). Malaysian Food | Dining & Etiquette Guide. Travellersworldwide.com.
https://travellersworldwide.com/11-malaysia-food/
Commisceo Global. (2019). Malaysia - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Commisceo-Global.com.
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/malaysia-guide
Coto Academy. (2021, September 14). How to say Winter,Summer,Spring and Autumn in Japanese - 春夏秋冬 - 4
seasons. Coto Academy. https://cotoacademy.com/how-to-say-wintersummerspring-and-autumn-in-japanese-
%E6%98%A5%E5%A4%8F%E7%A7%8B%E5%86%AC-4-seasons/

11. Thank You